Alcoholism

and exhibits these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Alcohol Testing

There are several different types of alcohol detection tests for use both in the home and in the workplace. The most popular include the breath analyzer and a saliva screen test. Both of these alcohol drug test kits provide fast and easy-to-read results with lab-accuracy.

Alcohol testing kits are valuable tools that help to keep people responsible for their drinking behaviors. Likewise, alcohol testing can help businesses maintain a safe and healthy work environment for their employees, lowering the amount of onsite accidents and saving companies money. is damaging to a company’s production rate and reputation, by increasing losses due to sick days, lowered productivity, onsite accidents, worker’s compensation claims and insurance claims. This is precisely the reason many companies opt to incorporate alcohol drug testing into their procedures.

Some industries are required to enforce the use of alcohol drug test kits. Such an industry is the Department of Transportation, which is government mandated to comply with alcohol and drug testing regulations. DOT alcohol & drug tests keep the public safe and the Department of Transportation accountable.

Parents can also benefit from alcohol tests. A simple breathalyzer test can determine whether or not your teen has been drinking, and if so how much. A simple alcohol drug test can help you either lay your fears to rest as a parent or seek appropriate help for your child should the need arise.

More information about this article can be found at
http://www.testcountry.com/home_test_kits/alcoholbreath_tests.html
http://health.org
http://www.testcountry.com/index.asp?action=11&cat=9

Additional Resources Symptoms Of Alcoholism And Signs Of Alcohol Abuse By Ron Keegan The differance between heavy drinking and alcoholism is based not on the amount that is being drunk but on the way, the drinking is affecting the life of the Read more...

Additional Resources Drinking By Scott Wardell How A Parent’s Drinking Affects Your ChildIntroductionOver 7 million children currently live in homes where one parent is an alcoholic. Twelve to Read more...

We strive to provide only quality information, so if there is a specific topic related to alcoholism that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time.

And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our Alcoholism Website, especially regarding "alcohol poisoning".

Smoking to 'Self-Medicate' May Increase Depression in Teens
Teenagers who smoke tobacco to 'feel better' may actually be at increased risk for depression. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Stigma Hinders Drug Users' Recovery, Report Finds
Referring to problem drug users as 'junkies' or 'addicts' can interfere with their recovery, according to a British review of research on stigma and drug use. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Risk Factors for Painkiller Addiction Identified
Researchers have found four common risk factors among study participants addicted to opioid painkillers, and found evidence that genes could play a part in the addiction (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
The influence of parents, siblings and peers on pre? and early?teen smoking: A multilevel model
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Five challenges for volatile substance misuse policy and intervention in Australia
(Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Illicit drugs and the media: Models of media effects for use in drug policy research
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Methadone maintenance, QTc and torsade de pointes: Who needs an electrocardiogram and what is the prevalence of QTc prolongation?
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Putting the call out for more research: The poor evidence base for treating methamphetamine withdrawal
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Hispanic Kids at Greater Risk of Substance Use
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
CDC Says Youth Tobacco Use No Longer Declining
Youth tobacco use rates dropped between 2000 and 2006, but have leveled off since then, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Study Finds Alcoholics Overrate Their Memory
Alcoholics overestimate their ability to remember things, according to a new French study. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Psychological distress among Plains Indian mothers with children referred to screening for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Conclusions: Psychological distress among referred mothers is significantly associated with having a self-reported drinking problem. FASD prevention requires multi-level prevention efforts that provide real opportunities for educational attainment and screening and monitoring of PD and alcohol use during the childbearing years. Mixed methods studies are needed to illuminate the social and cultural determinants at the base of the experience of PD and to identify the strengths and protective factors of unaffected peers who reside within the same communities. (Source: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy)
Table of Contents
Abstract (Source: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly)
Alcoholic Liver Disease More Aggressive
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
Cigarette Smoke Harmful Even When Exposure is Low
New research from New York Presbyterian Hospital shows that even low exposure to tobacco smoke can cause permanent damage to lung tissue. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem?
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Alcohol in the News
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
School-Based Interventions Can Reduce Teen Substance Use
New research from the United Kingdom shows that personality-based interventions can substantially reduce drug and alcohol use in teens. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Wall Street Traders Bullish on Marijuana, Prescription Drugs
In the high-flying '80s and '90s Wall Street employees were known as big cocaine users, but in these more sedate times investment professionals are turning to marijuana and prescription drugs to ease their stress. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
[Adolescent cannabis consumption and schizophrenia: epidemiological and experimental evidences.]
Authors: Parolaro D Marijuana is consistently the most widely used illicit drug among teenagers and most users first experiment it in adolescence. Adolescence is a critical period between childhood and adulthood, including not only reproductive maturation, but also cognitive, emotional and social maturation. In this period adolescent brain is still in transition differing anatomically and neurochemically from the adult's one. The endocannabinoid system is an important determinant for cerebral maturation, therefore its strong stimulation by the delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol, that acts through the endocannabinoid system, might lead to subtle but lasting neurobiological changes that can affect adult brain functions and behaviour. We summarize the more recent researches investigating the r...
[Assessing coping strategies in alcoholics: Comparison while controlling for Personality disorders, Cognitive impairment and Benzodiazepine misuse.]
Conclusions: Alcoholics with Personality disorders use maladaptive coping strategies. Patients presenting CI or BM have low capacity for introspection and are unable to properly evaluate their own abilities, so that they tend to give a socially favorable but unrealistic image of themselves. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the predictive validity of the coping skills before training alcoholics, who are especially difficult to assess due to their lower capacity for objective self-observation. PMID: 20802981 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Adicciones)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
[Validation of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) in a Spanish sample of alcoholic patients.]
Conclusions: The PDSQ is a reliable and valid instrument for detecting psychiatric comorbidity in alcoholic individuals. Its psychometric properties and the added value of self-administration and short application time make it a recommended instrument for use in routine clinical settings. PMID: 20802982 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Adicciones)
[Opportunities for the improvement of the methadone service in primary health care, from the professionals' point of view.]
Conclusions: In spite of its having been implemented since 1997 in Andalusian Primary Health Care, the methadone dispensing service is at an implementation phase, rather than what could be classed as a fully deployed stage. PMID: 20802983 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Adicciones)
[Process evaluation of the school-based cannabis use prevention program "xkpts.com" in adolescents from Barcelona in 2006.]
Conclusions: The intervention was acceptable in two out of three classrooms, while in four out of ten the protocol was applied strictly. Greater participation of the students' families corresponded to those schools in which the intervention was better implemented. PMID: 20802984 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Adicciones)
[Cocaine base paste: experience from the Montevideo Poison Control Center.]
Discussion: CBP users are mostly young males. Although clinical findings are compatible with those for cocaine abuse, euphoria is a major clinical feature in CBP abusers. The presence of respiratory symptoms reflects the complications associated with the ingestion route. Suicide attempts occurring within a few hours of CBP confirm the high prevalence of suicidal ideation reported by other authors. cocaine base paste, clinical features, suicide attempts. PMID: 20802985 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Adicciones)
[Personality and frontal symptomatology in addicts and nonclinical population: toward a neuropsychology of personality.]
Conclusions. Results suggest that frontal performance should be seen as a continuous dimensional variable, ranging from optimal to non-adaptive performance, without a neat cut-off point. Addiction would be related to an increase in frontal symptoms, both mesial (apathy) and orbital (disinhibition), as well as dorsolateral (dysexecutive syndrome), and this would result in changes in the previous personality pattern. These data seriously question the supposed genetic basis of temperamental traits, and suggest hypotheses of great relevance for clinicians. PMID: 20802986 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Adicciones)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
[Psychopathological symptoms and personality traits in young adult cannabis-dependent treatment seekers: A comparative study.]
Authors: Bravo de Medina R, Echeburúa E, Aizpiri J The aim of this paper was to describe the psychopathological and personality profile associated with cannabis dependence in young adults and to compare it with those of non-addictive disorders and the normal population. The sample consisted of 141 cannabis-dependent subjects attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic, 140 psychiatric patients with non-addictive disorders and 140 subjects from the general population chosen to match the patient samples for age, gender and socioeconomic level. All participants were assessed with different instruments related to personality (Impulsiveness Scale, Sensation-Seeking Scale and STAI) and psychopathology (SCL-90-R, BDI, STAI and Inadaptation Scale). Patients from the clinical groups presented ...
[An approach to the assessment of the effectiveness of a drug use prevention program in Secondary Education in Andalusia.]
This article examines the analysis of drug use among Secondary Education students in Andalusia from two different studies: the Health Behavior in School-aged Children Study (HBSC), in its 2006 edition, and a study assessing the implementation of the Prevenir para Vivir ("Prevent to Live") drug use prevention program in the education field. To this end, on the one hand the paper analyzes the use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis among Andalusian adolescents on the HBSC Study, and on the other, selects two groups of adolescents to examine and compare their drug use: a group from the HBSC Study who had not participated in any drug use prevention program and in whose schools the staff had not received training in relation to these issues (called HBSC Control Group), and a group of adolescents w...
[Longitudinal research on treated alcoholism: Systematic review of long-term follow-ups.]
Conclusions: The scarce amount of data available on the evolution of treated alcoholism cannot be compared across studies due to considerable methodological differences. There is a need to promote common methodological criteria in relation to follow-up strategies. New statistical methods that permit longitudinal analysis for non-balanced and correlated data should also be incorporated. PMID: 20802989 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Adicciones)
The Co-occurrence of Alcohol Abuse in Alcohol Dependence Among a Treatment Sample of Asian/Pacific Islanders
Conclusions: This study contributes to the current state of knowledge with regards to co-occurrence of alcohol abuse and dependence among ethnic groups in Hawaii. It will help treatment facilities develop a better understanding of the individuals seeking treatment in an effort to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that will take into account ethnic considerations. In addition, the use of alcohol abuse as a screening method for alcohol dependence in epidemiologic studies may underestimate the prevalence of dependence among Pacific Islanders, further limiting access to services for this underserved group. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment)
Factors Affecting Agreement Between Participant and Collateral Reports of Participant Drug Use Among College Students
Conclusion: Findings suggest that collateral informants in college student research should be a peer who uses drugs infrequently, but has been able to socialize with participants in situations in which drug and alcohol use occurs. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
The Association Between Self-forgiveness and Alcohol Misuse Depends on the Severity of Drinker's Shame: Toward a Buffering Model
Conclusions: These findings tentatively suggest the ability to forgive oneself may reduce the likelihood of alcohol and other drug abuse among people who experience high levels of shame. Pending replication, secondary prevention intervention research may wish to test whether inculcation of self-forgiveness is a health protective form of emotion-focused coping that produces therapeutic benefits in substance abusers who are not yet in treatment and who have a shame-based identity. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment)
The Importance of Glucocorticoids in AlcoholDependence and Neurotoxicity
Alterations in hypothalamo?pituitary adrenal (HPA) function have been described in alcoholics and in rodents after chronic alcohol consumption but the role of glucocorticoids in alcohol consumption, and the mechanisms involved, has received little attention until recently. Both alcohol consumption and withdrawal from chronic alcohol intake raise circulating glucocorticoid levels, and prolonged high concentrations of glucocorticoids are known to have detrimental effects on neuronal function and cognition. This minireview covers the ways in which glucocorticoids may be involved in drinking behavior, from social drinking to dependence, and the negative consequences of alcohol consumption seen during withdrawal which may have a detrimental effect on treatment outcome. Research shows prolonge...
Body Mass Index Is Associated With Brain Metabolite Levels in Alcohol Dependence?A Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Study
Background:? (Source: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research)
Decision?Making in People Who Relapsed to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Background:? (Source: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research)
Elevated overdose mortality rates among First Nations individuals in a Canadian setting: a population?based analysis
ABSTRACT (Source: Addiction)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Feasibility and effectiveness of nurse?delivered smoking cessation counselling combined with nicotine replacement in Australian general practice
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Immediate versus delayed quitting and rates of relapse among smokers treated successfully with varenicline, bupropion SR or placebo
(Source: Addiction)
Anti-Drunk Driving Campaign Saves Lives
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
Maternal substance use and integrated treatment programs for women with substance abuse issues and their children: a meta-analysis
Conclusions: Findings suggest that integrated programs are effective in reducing maternal substance use. However, integrated programs were not significantly more effective than non-integrated programs. Future research directions are discussed, including methodology, study quality, and reporting practices. (Source: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy)
RESEARCH REPORT: Potential consequences of replacing a retail alcohol monopoly with a private licence system: results from Sweden
(Source: Addiction)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Impulsivity: The Behavioural and Neurological Science of Discounting
(Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
How to Read a Paper: The Basics of Evidence Based Medicine
(Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Treating Substance Use Disorders with Adaptive Continuing Care
(Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Drug Policy and the Public Good
(Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Jellinek Memorial Award 2010
(Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Some new directions for research on psychological interventions for comorbid anxiety and substance use disorders
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for the treatment of co?occurring depression and substance use: Current evidence and directions for future research
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Mechanisms of change in control group drinking in clinical trials of brief alcohol intervention: Implications for bias toward the null
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Perceptions of discriminatory treatment by staff as predictors of drug treatment completion: Utility of a mixed methods approach
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Enhancing clinical research with alcohol, tobacco and cannabis problems and dependence
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Stepping through treatment: Reflections on an adaptive treatment strategy among methamphetamine users with depression
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Forming a national multicentre collaboration to conduct clinical trials: Increasing high?quality research in the drug and alcohol field
Abstract (Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
New methodological directions for psychological intervention research among substance users
(Source: Drug and Alcohol Review)
Calif. Toughens Law on Adults Who Let Kids Drink
California passed new legislation that holds adults legally accountable if they permit minors to drink in their homes. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
New Calif. Law Takes Aim at Adults Who Let Kids Drink
California passed new legislation that holds adults legally accountable if they permit minors to drink in their homes. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
CDC: Smoking in Movies Down, Further Restrictions Needed
Depictions of smoking in U.S. films decreased by half between 2005 and 2009, but more than 50 percent of PG-13 movies still show characters lighting up, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Appropriate Research Designs for Evaluating Community-level Alcohol Interventions: What Next?
Conclusion: The multiple baseline design has the capacity to allow methodologically and statistically stringent evaluations with relatively small sample sizes, low cost and fewer of the complications imposed by RCTs. Like all research designs it has limitations, but arguably represents the most practical and methodologically rigorous approach to the evaluation of system- or population-level strategies. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
The Impact of Alcohol Marketing on Youth Drinking Behaviour: A Two-stage Cohort Study
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate an association between involvement with, and awareness of, alcohol marketing and drinking uptake or increased drinking frequency, and we consider whether the current regulatory environment affords youth sufficient protection from alcohol marketing. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Effects of Changes in Availability of Alcohol: Unexpected Results Can Stimulate Theory Development and Research
(Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Changes in Alcohol Availability, Price and Alcohol-related Problems and the Collectivity of Drinking Cultures: What Happened in Southern and Northern Sweden?
Conclusions: Analysis confirmed that alcohol-related problems, according to the two indices used, followed a similar pattern to alcohol consumption, but less divergent. A version of Skog's theory applied on alcohol-related problems could not confirm that alcohol-related problems did not change collectively within the population. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Acetyl-L-Carnitine for Alcohol Craving and Relapse Prevention in Anhedonic Alcoholics: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that ALC can reduce craving and the time to first drink. ALC use was safe. Further studies are needed to clarify to confirm, over longer periods, these short-term outcome benefits. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
fMRI BOLD Response of High-risk College Students (Part 2): During Memory Priming of Alcohol, Marijuana and Polydrug Picture Cues
Conclusions: Prefrontal and insular cortex involvement both in reactivity to alcohol cues (Ray et al., this issue) and subsequent implicit memory processing of these cues, as found in this study, suggests their potential role in the maintenance of high-risk alcohol use behaviors. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
fMRI BOLD Response in High-risk College Students (Part 1): During Exposure to Alcohol, Marijuana, Polydrug and Emotional Picture Cues
Conclusions: Students at-risk for alcohol abuse showed neural reactivity to alcohol cues in four brain regions, which is consistent with their greater use of alcohol. Insula activation to appetitive cues may be an early marker of risk for progression to alcohol/drug abuse. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Sweet Liking and High Novelty Seeking: Independent Phenotypes Associated with Alcohol-related Problems
Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that high NS and SL phenotypes are independently associated with risk of alcohol-related problems. The combination of both phenotypes greatly increases the likelihood of alcohol-related problems. Although confirmation is necessary, this suggests that these phenotypes could contribute to improved methods to assess risk for alcohol-related problems and provide additional insight into processes underlying progression to alcohol-related problems. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Bone Mineral Density, Bone Turnover Markers and Cytokines in Alcohol-Induced Cirrhosis
Conclusions: There is a relation between activation of the cellular immunity and osteoporosis in AC. Bone mass loss could be related to the increased bone resorption found in these patients. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
The Changes of Sialic Acid Concentration and Content in Apolipoprotein B-Containing Lipoproteins in the Sera of Alcoholics
Conclusions: There are changes in the structure of atherogenic lipoproteins in alcoholics, which consist of increasing SA concentration in apoB-containing lipoproteins. These changes are independent of serum apoB level and may precede the development of hyperlipidemia. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Alcohol Use Disorders Affect Antimicrobial Proteins and Anti-pneumococcal Activity in Epithelial Lining Fluid Obtained via Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Conclusions: The predisposition for pneumococcal pneumonia among those with AUDs may be in part mediated through effects of alcohol on substances within ELF that include antimicrobial proteins. Clarifying the composition and activity of ELF antimicrobial proteins in the setting of AUDs via investigations with human BAL fluid can help establish their contribution to the susceptibility for pulmonary infections in these individuals. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Asking the Right Questions about Substitution and Complementarity: A Comment on Moore's Paper
(Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Something Must Be Done!: But Is Moore Correct that Something Can Be Worse than Nothing in Alcohol Control Policy?
(Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Substitution and Complementarity in the Face of Alcohol-Specific Policy Interventions
Conclusions: Policies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption can be successful. However, evidence suggests a significant minority of consumers are likely to substitute or complement consumption with a range of intoxicants suggesting that policy is unlikely to reduce all-cause mortality and morbidity. Further research into the nature of substitution and complementarity is required. (Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
What Price for an Extra-ordinary Commodity?
(Source: Alcohol and Alcoholism)
Generalizability of clinical trials for cannabis dependence to community samples
Abstract: There is growing concern that results of tightly controlled clinical trials may not generalize to broader community samples. To assess the proportion of community dwelling adults with cannabis dependence who would have been eligible for a typical cannabis dependence treatment study, we applied a standard set of eligibility criteria commonly used in cannabis outcome studies to a large (N=43,093) representative US adult sample interviewed face-to-face, the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Approximately 80% of the community sample of adults with a diagnosis of cannabis dependence (N=133) would be excluded from participating in clinical trials by one or more of the common eligibility criteria. Individual study criteria excluded from 0% to 41.0...
Determinants of alcohol consumption in HIV-uninfected injection drug users
This study demonstrates that in a large urban cohort of persons with a history of injection drug use, risky drug use and sexual risk behavior are associated with subsequent alcohol consumption. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
Substance abusers? motives for using anabolic androgenic steroids
Conclusion: Some users of illicit drugs also use AAS for reasons other than the anabolic properties of these compounds. Therefore, considering that AAS may cause or contribute to diverse morbidity, it is important to ask users of illicit drugs about AAS use, even when obvious external signs of AAS use are lacking. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
Retention in naltrexone implant treatment for opioid dependence
Conclusion: Rates of retention among opioid-dependent patients receiving naltrexone implant treatment are encouraging and support this as a feasible long-term treatment option. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
The effect of motivational status on treatment outcome in the North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) study
Abstract: Dropout and recidivism from addiction treatment has been found to be associated with individuals? readiness for change. Motivation for treatment among participants entering the North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) randomized controlled trial, which compared heroin assisted treatment (HAT) to optimized methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), was assessed. Through multivariate regression, we aimed to determine whether baseline motivational status was predictive of four treatment outcomes: early dropout, 12-month retention, 12-month response to treatment, and time to discontinuation of treatment. Among the 251 out-of-treatment chronic opioid dependent patients recruited in Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver, British Columbia, 52% reported having a high level of motivatio...
In vivo evidence for long-term CNS toxicity, associated with chronic binge use of methamphetamine
Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to examine disturbances in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) associated with methamphetamine abuse.Methods: Using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), rCBF was measured in 20 men who had previously injected methamphetamine intravenously for over 30 months and who were now abstinent for a minimum of 9 months and for an average of 2 years. Values were compared with those in 12 healthy men who had never injected methamphetamine.Results: While rCBF was significantly and disproportionately reduced in subcortical and dorsal cortical brain regions, including the striatum, thalamus, cingulum, mesiodorsal prefrontal cortex, and pons (all t's>8.3 after global normalization, corrected p's (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
The dimensionality of alcohol use disorders: Results from Israel
Conclusion: Consistent with other studies, alcohol dependence and abuse criteria reflected a latent variable representing a single AUD. Results suggested little effect in removing legal problems and little gained by adding weekly at-risk drinking. Results contribute to knowledge about AUD criteria by examining them in a low-consumption country. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
Socio-behavioral and geographic correlates of prevalent hepatitis C virus infection among young injection drug users in metropolitan Baltimore and Chicago
Abstract: Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence among young injection drug users (IDUs) differs substantially between cities in the United States (U.S.).Methods: Between 2002 and 2004, IDUs aged 15?30 were recruited for the Third Collaborative Injection Drug User Study in five U.S. cities using respondent-driven methods. Our cross-sectional study examined correlates and geographic distribution of prevalent HCV infection (HCV+) from the Baltimore (n=736) and Chicago (n=586) study sites. We evaluated baseline socio-demographic and behavioral data collected from computer-assisted self-interviews and serological antibody testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis A, B, and C.Results: HCV prevalence was 53.0% in Baltimore and 13.7% in Chicago (p (Source: D...
Adolescents? expectancies for smoking to regulate affect predict smoking behavior and nicotine dependence over time
Conclusions: Outcome expectancies for affect management emerged as an important risk factor for smoking escalation and the development of nicotine dependence during adolescence. The present findings highlight the potential importance of cognitively-driven expectancies as a risk factor for smoking escalation during this critical developmental period. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms in non-treatment-seeking adult cannabis smokers
Conclusions: Cannabis withdrawal is a common syndrome among adults not seeking treatment. The intention to relieve withdrawal symptoms can drive relapse during quit attempts, giving cannabis withdrawal clinical significance as a target of treatment. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
The role of alcohol misuse in PTSD outcomes for women in community treatment: A secondary analysis of NIDA's Women and Trauma Study
Abstract: Background: Individuals with comorbid substance use and posttraumatic stress disorder may differentially benefit from integrated trauma-focused interventions based on specific presenting characteristics such as substance use type and PTSD severity. The current study is a secondary analysis of a NIDA Clinical Trials Network study exploring the effectiveness of two interventions for women with comorbid PTSD and substance use disorders.Method: Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association of baseline alcohol misuse with PTSD outcome measures over time for all randomized participants.Results: Women entering treatment with baseline alcohol misuse had higher Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale (PSS-SR) total scores (t=2.43, p (Source: Drug and Alcohol D...
A randomized, controlled trial of NRT-aided gradual vs. abrupt cessation in smokers actively trying to quit
Abstract: Most smoking cessation programs advise abrupt rather than gradual cessation. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of gradual cessation (n=297) vs. abrupt cessation (n=299) vs. minimal treatment (n=150) among smokers who wanted to quit now and preferred to quit gradually. Participants were recruited via newspaper and radio advertisements. The gradual and abrupt conditions received five phone calls (total=90min) and the minimal treatment condition received two calls (25min total). The gradual condition received nicotine lozenge (via mail) to reduce smoking prior to their quit date. After the quit day, all participants received lozenge. The primary outcome was prolonged abstinence from 2 weeks post-quit day through 6 months. Prior to the quit day, the gradual condition decrea...
A placebo-controlled trial of memantine for cocaine dependence with high-value voucher incentives during a pre-randomization lead-in period
Abstract: Preclinical findings suggest that the inhibition of NMDA glutamatergic neurotransmission may have beneficial effects in the treatment of cocaine dependence. We hypothesized that memantine, a low potency, uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, would be safe and effective in the treatment of cocaine dependence, particularly in preventing relapse to cocaine use in abstinent individuals.Cocaine dependent patients (N=112) were enrolled. The trial began with a 2-week placebo lead-in period during which patients received high-value voucher contingency management to induce abstinence. Participants were then randomized to receive either memantine 20mg bid (N=39) or placebo (N=42) for 12-weeks in combination with individual relapse-prevention therapy. The randomization was stratified by a...
The use of administrative data as a substitute for individual screening scores in observational studies related to problematic alcohol or drug use
This study used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve techniques to assess how well AOD-related administrative indicators predicted self-reported AOD use obtained from AUDIT/DAST screening scores. An administrative AOD indicator, derived from a combination of medical encounter and billing data, arrest records, and publicly funded AOD-related services data, demonstrated discrimination in the acceptable range (AUC: 0.72?0.78) for identifying self-reported AOD use consistent with potential need for either (1) any AOD-related intervention, or (2) intensive AOD-related intervention or treatment. These findings held up in two distinct samples: a statewide Medicaid-only sample and a single-site mixed-payer sample that included the uninsured. Our findings suggest that indicators of AOD-r...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Decisional balance proportion: Quantifying qualitative data to represent motivation to change among treatment-seeking smokers
This study tested a new measure of motivation to change as a predictor of smoking behavior following smoking cessation treatment. Participants were adult, regular smokers (N=191) who took part in a randomized smoking cessation trial in southwestern Germany (). Participants completed smoking and psychological self-report measures before and after a 6-week smoking cessation treatment. Among these measures, the open-ended decisional balance worksheet elicited participant-generated pros and cons of smoking versus abstinence. Counts of the pros and cons were combined into the decisional balance proportion (DBP), which reflected participants? current balance towards smoking behavior change. Additional smoking assessments were conducted up to the 12-month follow-up. After controlling for group ...
Prevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policies
Abstract: Syringe exchange programs (SEPs) can reduce HIV risk among injecting drug users (IDUs) but their use may depend heavily on contextual factors such as local syringe policies. The frequency and predictors of transitioning over time to and from direct, indirect, and non-use of SEPs are unknown. We sought, over one year, to: (1) quantify and characterize transition probabilities of SEP attendance typologies; (2) identify factors associated with (a) change in typology, and (b) becoming and maintaining Direct SEP use; and (3) quantify and characterize transition probabilities of SEP attendance before and after changes in policy designed to increase access. Using data collected from 583 IDUs participating in a three-city cohort study of SEPs, we conducted a latent transition analysis an...
Effects of experimental Unemployment, Employment and Punishment analogs on opioid seeking and consumption in heroin-dependent volunteers
This study investigated the extent to which hydromorphone (HYD) choice and behavioral economic demand differed during experimental analogs of Unemployment (Drug Only: HYD and no money alternative), Employment (Drug or Money: HYD and $4 alternative), and Punishment (Drug Only+Money Loss: HYD only and $4 subtracted for each HYD choice), in the context of anticipated high vs. low post-session drug availability (HYD 24mg vs. placebo). Eleven heroin-dependent, buprenorphine-stabilized (8mg/day) volunteers first sampled two HYD doses (0 and 24mg IM in randomized, counterbalanced order, labeled Drug A [session 1] and Drug B [session 2]). In each of the final six sessions, volunteers were given access to a 12-trial choice progressive ratio (PR) task and could work to receive HYD unit doses (2mg ea...
Bringing the real world into the laboratory: Personal smoking and nonsmoking environments
Abstract: Pictorial representations of specific environments related to smoking can evoke robust craving to smoke, even in the absence of any proximal cues to smoke (e.g., cigarettes, lighters). To evaluate the salience of smoking environment cues, we developed a novel procedure for bringing smokers? real world smoking and nonsmoking environments into the laboratory to compare them with standard (i.e., not personalized) environments within a cue-reactivity paradigm. Seventy-two smokers used digital cameras to take pictures of the environments in which they do and do not smoke. They then completed a cue-reactivity session during which they viewed and rated pictures of smoking and nonsmoking environments, half personal and half standard, all devoid of proximal smoking cues. As hypothesized...
Effectiveness of diacetylmorphine versus methadone for the treatment of opioid dependence in women
Conclusions: Among long-term opioid dependent women who have not benefited sufficiently from available treatments, medically prescribed diacetylmorphine is more effective than oral methadone. Men receiving diacetylmorphine showed more improvements than women. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Injection of buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone tablets in Malaysia
Conclusions: In Malaysia, BUP and BNX IDU occur among heroin IDUs. The introduction of BNX and withdrawal of BUP may have helped to reduce, but did not eliminate the problems with diversion and abuse. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
The role of drinking locations in university student drinking: Findings from a national web-based survey
Conclusions: Certain drinking locations (i.e., pubs, residential halls, off-campus houses) appear to promote or facilitate heavy alcohol consumption among students. Better enforcement of laws prohibiting service to intoxication should be prioritized to reduce alcohol-related harm among university students. Consideration should be given to strengthening alcohol policies in residential halls and methods for managing heavy drinking in private residences. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Subjective effects and patterns of use among Australian recreational users
In this study, Australian participants (n=121) reporting at least one lifetime use of DMT completed an online questionnaire recording patterns of use, subjective effects and attitudes towards their DMT use. Smoking DMT was by far the most common route of administration (98.3%) with a comparatively smaller proportion reporting use of ayahuasca (30.6%). The reasons for first trying DMT were out of a general interest in hallucinogenic drugs (46.6%) or curiosity about DMT's effects (41.7%), while almost one-third (31.1%) cited possible psychotherapeutic benefits of the drug. An increase in psychospiritual insight was the most commonly reported positive effect of both smoked DMT (75.5%) and ayahuasca (46.7%), a finding that is consistent with other studies examining the ritualised use of ayahua...
The relationship of quality and price of the psychostimulants cocaine and amphetamine with health care outcomes
Abstract: A major component of the illicit drug market can be subcategorized as the psychostimulant drug market, with cocaine and amphetamine as popular constituents. In The Netherlands, an increase in both health care outcomes addiction treatment and hospital admissions was noted for both amphetamine and cocaine throughout a period of 17 years (1992?2008). Both cocaine price and quality showed a decrease in The Netherlands during the studied period. We used time-series regression analysis to investigate whether price or quality of the drugs were associated with health care outcomes. Drug seizures were also added to the time-series regressions in order to check for possible effects of drug availability and supply. Price and quality of cocaine were strongly associated with health care out...
The effectiveness of brief intervention among injured patients with alcohol dependence: Who benefits from brief interventions?
Conclusions: These findings suggest that BMI is more beneficial among patients with alcohol dependence who screen positive for an alcohol-related injury. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Measuring addiction propensity and severity: The need for a new instrument
Abstract: Drug addiction research requires but lacks a valid and reliable way to measure both the risk (propensity) to develop addiction and the severity of manifest addiction. This paper argues for a new measurement approach and instrument to quantify propensity to and severity of addiction, based on the testable assumption that these constructs can be mapped onto the same dimension of liability to addiction. The case for this new direction becomes clear from a critical review of empirical data and the current instrumentation. The many assessment instruments in use today have proven utility, reliability, and validity, but they are of limited use for evaluating individual differences in propensity and severity. The conceptual and methodological shortcomings of instruments currently used in...
Changes at Drug and Alcohol Dependence
After over twelve years as Editor in Chief of Drug and Alcohol Dependence (DAD), Dr. Robert Balster has stepped down from his position with the journal. Bob has seen the journal through tremendous changes, including the use of an online submission process, a marked increase in the number of papers reviewed and published, and the establishment of Associate Editors that have helped to manage the journal's growth. He leaves DAD in great shape, and it will be hard to fill his shoes. I want to take this opportunity to publically thank Bob for all of the work he has done to advance the journal, and just as importantly, for how he has advanced the scientific field of addictions research. While transitions such as this can be difficult, he has been very accessible and immense help with ensuring a ...
Robert Balster resigns as Editor-in-Chief of Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Effective June 2010, I resigned as Editor-in-Chief of Drug and Alcohol Dependence (DAD). I did so because I have been serving in this role for over 12 years and felt it was time to move on to some new challenges. Editing this journal has been a significant part of my professional life and one of the most rewarding scholarly activities I have been involved with. Without question, the most interesting part is the correspondence concerning submissions involving authors and reviewers. There is nothing quite so educational about a research field than to read over a good submission, identify experts in those areas of research, and then read over the short essays that reviewers typically write outlining some of the strengths and weaknesses of the research. This is often followed by the author's r...
Editorial Board
(Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)
Family Profile of Heroin Users in Mansoura, Egypt
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that family dysfunctions are common in this group of patients. This will need to be considered in the treatment of this group of patients. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Misuse of Alcohol During Opiate Substitution Treatment
Conclusions: We make some recommendations for new therapeutic approaches. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment)
What the Consequences of a DUI Arrest?
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
National Alcohol and Drug Recovery Month
Image © http://www.recoverymonth.gov September is America's National Alcohol and Drug Recovery Month. What is Recovery Month?  National Alcohol and Drug Recovery Month is a month designated by the United States government to recognize and promote issues related to overcoming alcohol and drug related problems....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Addictions)
Table of Contents
Abstract (Source: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly)
The Dawn of Awareness: Women?s Claiming of Self In Couple Relationship with Substance Abusers
Abstract&nbsp;&nbsp;This phenomenological study aimed at understanding the experiences of women living with intimate partners with substance abuse problems. Findings show that the five participants? family-of-origin experiences centrally influenced their degree of awareness of their responses to their intimate partners? addictive behaviors. Experiences leading to dawning of awareness include an escalating toll on self, critical life events, and the catalytic effect of outsiders? perspective and support. The discovery of self and care for one?s own well-being precipitated changes in spouse and family relationships. Implications of these findings for clinical practice and recovery are suggested. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11469-010-9290-5Authors Mavis E. Nay...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Impaired, Not Drunk, Driving Is Dangerous Too
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
NIDA to Launch National Drug Facts Week
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) announced it is launching National Drug Facts Week, a new national awareness week designed to bring together teens and scientific experts to discuss the facts about drug abuse. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
ER Visits for Synthetic Marijuana on the Rise
An herb-and-chemical compound sold legally in the U.S. as incense is sending many of those who smoke it for its marijuana-like high to the hospital. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
CASA Report Warns Parents about Nexus of Drugs and Gangs in Schools; Students Less Concerned
American students are essentially split over the question of whether their school is 'drug free,' but students still cite drugs as a major problem facing people their age, according to a new survey of 12- to 17-year-olds from the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem?
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Alcohol in the News
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
Intervention delivered by school staff successfully lowers drinking rates in 'at risk' children
In the past ten years alcohol consumption in 12-17 years olds has doubled. In 2009 17.42% of 3.1 million 11-15 year olds sampled in England, had drunk alcohol in the previous week. Before publication of data from the Preventure trial* no programme had been shown to be effective in the UK at reducing substance abuse in young people. (Source: Action on Addiction)
Late?Life Alcohol Consumption and 20?Year Mortality
(Source: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research)
Effectiveness of a mood management component as an adjunct to a telephone counselling smoking cessation intervention for smokers with a past major depression: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
(Source: Addiction)
Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in men and women with alcohol dependence: results from a cross?sectional study during behavioural treatment in a controlled environment
(Source: Addiction)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Addiction Research Centres and the Nurturing of Creativity?The Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF)
(Source: Addiction)
Top Myths About Drinking and Driving
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
Drinking Regular Beer May Increase Psoriasis Risk in Women
Women who drink five or more regular beers a week could nearly double their risk for psoriasis, a new study finds. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Drinking Regular Beer May Increase Psoriasis Risk in Women
Women who drink five or more regular beers a week could nearly double their risk for psoriasis, a new study finds. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Mass. Approves Online Tracking of Prescription Painkillers
Massachusetts health officials approved a plan on Aug. 11 that will allow doctors and pharmacists to track narcotics prescriptions online -- a major step toward reducing “doctor shopping� in patients addicted to prescription drugs, officials said. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Amphetamine Misuse Linked to Artery Damage in Young Adults
Young adults who misuse amphetamines have a three-fold risk for tears in the aorta -- the body's largest artery -- compared with nonusers. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Editorial Board
(Source: International Journal of Drug Policy)
RESEARCH REPORT: A comparison of four international surveys of tobacco dependence treatment provision: implications for monitoring the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
(Source: Addiction)
EDITORIAL: Should smokers be offered assistance with stopping?
(Source: Addiction)
RESEARCH REPORT: Mephedrone, new kid for the chop?
(Source: Addiction)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Rising taurine and ethanol concentrations in nucleus accumbens interact to produce dopamine release after ethanol administration
(Source: Addiction Biology)
Differential region?specific regulation of ?4?2* nAChRs by self?administered and non?contingent nicotine in C57BL/6J mice
(Source: Addiction Biology)
Systemically administered oxytocin decreases methamphetamine activation of the subthalamic nucleus and accumbens core and stimulates oxytocinergic neurons in the hypothalamus
(Source: Addiction Biology)
Cell?specific effects of variants of the 68?base pair tandem repeat on prodynorphin gene promoter activity
(Source: Addiction Biology)
Implication of dopaminergic projection from the ventral tegmental area to the anterior cingulate cortex in ??opioid?induced place preference
(Source: Addiction Biology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Differences between smokers and non?smokers in regional gray matter volumes: a voxel?based morphometry study
(Source: Addiction Biology)
Nicotine increases neural response to unpleasant stimuli and anxiety in non?smokers
(Source: Addiction Biology)
MAOA genotype, family relations and sexual abuse in relation to adolescent alcohol consumption
(Source: Addiction Biology)
Glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene polymorphisms and onset of alcohol abuse in adolescents
(Source: Addiction Biology)
High cocaine dosage decreases neurogenesis in the hippocampus and impairs working memory
(Source: Addiction Biology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Individual differences in substance dependence: at the intersection of brain, behaviour and cognition
(Source: Addiction Biology)
Increased Risk of Esophageal Varices, Liver Cancer, and Death in Patients With Alcoholic Liver Disease.
Conclusions: We found that the prognosis for patients hospitalized with chronic liver diseases had not improved. Patients with alcoholic liver disease have an increased risk of complications, which suggest that the disease is more aggressive and are in need of closer follow-up than other chronic liver diseases. PMID: 20735371 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research)
Late-Life Alcohol Consumption and 20-Year Mortality.
Conclusions: Findings are consistent with an interpretation that the survival effect for moderate drinking compared to abstention among older adults reflects 2 processes. First, the effect of confounding factors associated with alcohol abstention is considerable. However, even after taking account of traditional and nontraditional covariates, moderate alcohol consumption continued to show a beneficial effect in predicting mortality risk. PMID: 20735372 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research)
Reduced Expression of Circadian Clock Genes in Male Alcoholic Patients.
Conclusions: This is the first study demonstrating the overall lowering of circadian clock genes among patients with AD. The expression pattern is comparable between patients with and without DTs. Although preliminary with data at only one single time point, the observation of strikingly reduced mRNA levels supports the association between circadian clock gene dysregulation and chronic alcohol intake. PMID: 20735373 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research)
Study of Metamemory in Patients With Chronic Alcoholism Using a Feeling-of-Knowing Episodic Memory Task.
Conclusions: Chronic alcoholism affects both episodic memory and metamemory for novel information. Patients were relatively unaware of their memory deficits and believed that their memory was as good as that of the healthy controls. The monitoring measure (FOK) and the subjective measure of metamemory (MIA) showed that patients with chronic alcoholism overestimated their memory capacities. Episodic memory deficit and executive dysfunction would explain metamemory decline in this clinical population. PMID: 20735374 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
Developing a Drug-Free Lifestyle
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
Facebook Pot Picture Problem
A recent fumble over a facebook pot picture illustrates the muddle that politicians and policy makers frequently find themselves in over illicit drugs, and particularly the social acceptability of pot. The story emerged last week in the Huffington Post. Apparently, a pro-pot-legalization group called "Just Say Now" was set up on facebook, and ran successfully, complete with a picture of real pot leaf, from August 7 to August 16, reaching millions of readers and attracting thousands of supporters....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Addictions)
Alcohol related social norm perceptions in university students: a review of effective interventions for change
New AERC Alcohol Insight and Fial Report investigates the growing recognition that students? alcohol consumption is impacting on many aspects of university life, such as health, attrition rates and academic achievement. In the U.K, around 50% of young people now attend university and thus become exposed to this high alcohol consuming culture. Recent trends suggest that excessive drinking patterns that begin during student years are now continuing throughout adulthood. Further evidence to this effect comes from liver experts reporting worrying changes in the age of onset of alcohol related liver disease. A recent survey conducted by the current researchers suggests that consumption levels are probably significantly underestimated in many studies, with 88% of students drinking 6 or more un...
Table of Contents
Abstract (Source: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly)
A Typology of UK Slot Machine Gamblers: A Longitudinal Observational and Interview Study
This study presents a new typology of slot machine players based on over 1000&nbsp;h of participant and non-participant observation, and informal interviews with slot machine players in a range of UK gambling environments. Three key behavioural variables were systematically and consistently observed during the field research. These were (a) ability (i.e., how proficient the person was at gambling on a slot machine), (b) control (i.e., how controlled the person was in their playing of slot machines), and (c) time spent gambling (i.e., frequency of visits and duration gambling session). These three behavioural variables were then used to develop a new typology of slot machine gamblers. Overall six types of UK slot gambler were observed based on the three behavioural variables. These we...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Register for<b><a href="http://www.medmatcha.com" target ="_self">MedMatcha, MedWorm's medical advertising network</a></b>, and receive $5 free advertising.</p></div>
The Health Effects of Drug Abuse
(Source: About.com Alcoholism)
Fewer Magazines Exposing Youth to Alcohol
Exposure to alcohol ads in magazines among youth fell 48 percent between 2001 and 2008, according to a new report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY). (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)
Anxiety Disorders among Methamphetamine Dependent Adults: Association with Post-Treatment Functioning.
Authors: Glasner-Edwards S, Mooney LJ, Marinelli-Casey P, Hillhouse M, Ang A, Rawson R, Although anxiety is one of the most prominent psychiatric complaints of methamphetamine (MA) users, little is known about the association between anxiety disorders and treatment outcomes in this population. Using data from 526 adults in the largest psychosocial clinical trial of MA users conducted to date, this study examined psychiatric, substance use, and functional outcomes of MA users with concomitant anxiety disorders 3 years after treatment. Anxiety disorders were associated with poorer alcohol and drug use outcomes, increased health service utilization, and higher levels of psychiatric symptomatology, including suicidality. Addressing anxiety symptoms and syndromes in MA users may be helpful...
Obesity, smoking, and frontal brain dysfunction.
Authors: Bauer L, Dick D, Bierut L, Bucholz K, Edenberg H, Kuperman S, Kramer J, Nurnberger J, O'Connor S, Rice J, Rohrbaugh J, Schuckit M, Tischfield J, Porjesz B, Hesselbrock V Obesity, smoking, and conduct problems have all been associated with decrements in brain function. However, their additive and interactive effects have rarely been examined. To address the deficiency, we studied P300a and P300b electroencephalographic potentials in 218 women grouped by the presence versus absence of: (1) a BMI &gt;/= 30 kg/m(2); (2) recent smoking; and (3) &gt;/= 2 childhood conduct problems. Analyses revealed smaller P300a and P300b amplitudes over the posterior scalp among recent smokers versus nonsmokers. No corresponding group differences were found in P300 latencies or frontal scalp ampli...

© Copyright 2008  - Awareness-Guide.com, All rights reserved - alcohol poisoning